Layered and Functionally Graded Nanocomposite Thin Films with Unique Mechanical Properties

A novel electrochemical deposition method for manufacturing functionally graded, oxide-dispersion strengthened metal matrix nanocomposites will be presented. Using a rotating disk electrode and depositing from an electrolyte containing a suspension of oxide nanoparticles, metal-ceramic nanocomposites have been produced. This method leads to precise control over the volume fraction of the oxide in the nanocomposite and allows for the manufacturing of compositionally uniform, periodically layered, or functionally graded structures. In the higher order structures the composition variation can be finely tuned with nanometer resolution, and the characteristic microstructural length scale (e.g., individual layer thickness) can range from microns up to millimeters. Using indentation methods, the nanocomposites are shown to display enhanced and tunable mechanical properties.